Songs of Pain is the first album by folk singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded on a simple tape recorder and released on Compact Cassette. This is the album's first time being pressed on vinyl. Back in the early 1980s, when the punk-rock DIY spirit was going strong, emerging artists found a cheap and efficient way of distributing their music--the homemade cassette. Sometimes very crude and low-fi, the tapes became a hallmark of instant "indie cred." The erratic, troubled, and startlingly talented Daniel Johnston was one of the first musicians to really make a name for himself in this medium, and his first two tapes, 1980's Songs of Pain and '81's More Songs of Pain make up this collection, re-mixed but retaining their rough edges. The anger and sadness of "An Idiot's End," the wry twist of "Joy Without Pleasure," and the resignation of "More Dead Than Alive" exemplify the genius of his carefully chosen words. His lyrics can sting as well as delight, and his piano playing resonates with emotional depth. Hearing these songs makes one long to hear Beck doing a rendition of "Urge" or Johnny Cash taking on "Wild West Virginia." --Lorry Fleming
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Recommended equipment and accessories
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Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
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Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
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Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
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Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
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Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
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Minus the Bear Menos El Oso (20th Anniversary; Pink) [2xLP]
Suicide Squeeze
August 22, 2025 -
Ludwig Göransson Sinners Score [2xLP]
Mutant
September 26, 2025 -
The Hives The Hives Forever Forever The Hives (Gold)
Play It Again Sam
August 29, 2025 -
Ada Lea when i paint my masterpiece (Ice Ice Baby Blue)
Saddle Creek
August 8, 2025 -
Gruff Rhys Dim Probs
Rock Action Records
September 26, 2025 -
James Yorkston Songs for Nina and Johanna
Domino Record Co
August 22, 2025 -
The Vintage Caravan Portals [2xLP]
Napalm Records
September 26, 2025 -
The Favors The Dream
Darkroom / Interscope
September 19, 2025 -
David Bowie I Can't Give Everything Away 2002 (2016) [18xLP]
Rhino / Parlophone
September 12, 2025 -
Rawayana Bomba Estereo & ASTROPICAL ASTROPICAL
Sony U.s. Latin
August 1, 2025 -
Upchuck I'm Nice Now
Domino Record Co
October 3, 2025 -
Neptunian Maximalism Le Sacre Du Soleil Invaincu
I, Voidhanger Records
August 29, 2025 -
Steve Gunn Music For Writers (Opaque Orange)
Three Lobed Recordings
August 15, 2025 -
The Smashing Pumpkins Machina (25th Anniversary) [2xLP]
Virgin Records
August 22, 2025